Drake named a top 200 school, and #1 in Iowa for “Best Value School” Drake University was once again ranked among the top 200 best colleges in the nation — this time in the U.S. News and World Report national university rankings, competing against the largest universities in the country. The news comes just weeks after receiving similar accolades from The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Ranking. U.S. News also ranked Drake as the #1 private school in Iowa within its national university rankings. According to the U.S. News national university ranking methodology*, Drake also secured high marks in several...
Drake Welcomes the Most Diverse Entering Student Class in University History
Highest percentage of diversity, first-generation, and Pell-eligible students on record As students across the country settle into a new school year, Drake University is welcoming new undergraduate students to campus — and it is the most diverse group of students in the University’s 143-year history. The University is proud to report the diversity of the new undergraduate student population is 37.4%. This includes entering first-year (EFR) and transfer students seeking bachelor’s degrees at Drake as well as first-year and transfer students seeking associate degrees from Drake’s John Dee Bright College. Specifically, the diversity of EFR students joining Drake is 35.3%,...
The Wall Street Journal ranks Drake University as #1 Private School in Iowa
Return on investment of a Drake education among top 3 percent in the nation Drake University was ranked the top private school in Iowa for the second year in a row and among the top 200 best colleges in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 College Pulse Rankings. Among all Iowa schools, Drake ranked highest in Salary Impact Score (a rating of graduate salaries relative to the cost of attending), as well as the Value Added to Graduate Salary score (value added to graduates’ median salary attributable to attending the college). These rankings from The Wall Street Journal...
Drake Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology program reaches new heights in enrollment and professional involvement
Just three years after the launch of Drake University’s Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP), an online curriculum training psychologists to prescribe medication, the program has doubled in size and recently had a strong presence at a national clinical psychology summit. This two-year master’s program, offered through Drake University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS), prepares licensed post-doctoral psychologists to sit for the Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP), seek out fellowships, and apply for the certification that will enable them to prescribe psychotropic medications to their clients in Iowa and other states. Not only does this advanced credential...
Official News ReleasesRay Center
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University to Oversee Hy-Vee’s KidsFit program, Hy-Vee to remain presenting sponsor
Teachers and caregivers are encouraged to sign up for the program to receive free resources and rewards The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and Hy-Vee are proud to announce a new partnership to further support kids and families in living healthy, active lifestyles. The Ray Center is assuming all responsibility and management of Hy-Vee’s KidsFit program, while Hy-Vee will continue to serve as the program’s presenting sponsor. Under The Ray Center’s direction, the program’s mission will remain the same—empower children to take control of their health by making free resources accessible to all parents, teachers, and...
Law School News
Professor Blodgett-Ford’s Scholarship Included in Research Handbook on the Law of Artificial Intelligence
Drake University Law School is proud to announce that Professor Sayoko Blodgett-Ford’s work “Copyright, fair use, and AI technology development: time to sunset the ‘transformative purpose’ test” has been selected for inclusion as a chapter in the newly released Research Handbook on the Law of Artificial Intelligence, Second Edition. Associate Professor and Sease Faculty Research Scholar Blodgett-Ford is an expert in artificial intelligence law and played a key role in shaping Drake’s new AI Law Certificate, preparing students for careers in law and technology. The Research Handbook will be an essential reference source for students and scholars interested in AI...
Honoring C. Boyd Granberg and his legacy of devotion to Drake University and the pharmacy profession
C. Boyd Granberg, Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Drake University’s College of Pharmacy (now the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences), passed away on August 31, 2025. He was 104 years old. During his lifespan, Granberg dedicated 34 years to Drake University, serving as a pharmacy faculty member from 1950 to 1977 and then as Dean of the College until his retirement in 1984. However, Granberg’s impact on Drake and on the pharmacy profession extends far beyond these years. His service played a significant role in building the foundation on which the College stands today. Granberg helped the College...
Drake expands access to full-tuition Bulldog Promise, Celebrates 2025 Recipients
The Bulldog Promise and Bright College Pathway cover 100% tuition for eligible Iowans To make a world-class education even more accessible for talented Iowa students, Drake University has adjusted the minimum high school GPA for its Bulldog Promise program from 3.8 to 3.5 for students entering in fall of 2026 and beyond. This change will allow even more students to qualify for the program, which provides 100% tuition coverage to qualifying Iowans. Originally announced in 2024 for students entering in fall of 2025, both the Bulldog Promise and Bright College Pathway programs have been incredibly successful in expanding access for...
Acclaimed Author of “Nightbitch,” Rachel Yoder, to Speak at Drake University
Drake University is excited to host critically acclaimed author Rachel Yoder for a reading and discussion as part of the Susan Glaspell Writers & Critics Series. Yoder’s debut novel Nightbitch was recently adapted into a major motion picture starring Amy Adams. The free event is open to the public and will take place Thursday, October 2 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. “We are thrilled to welcome Rachel Yoder to campus. It’s especially meaningful to host a writer who is part of Iowa’s vibrant literary community and who demonstrates the incredible depth of talent right here in...
Law School News
Harvard Law Professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos to Deliver 2025 Constitution Day Lecture
The Drake Constitutional Law Center is pleased to welcome Harvard Law School’s Kirkland & Ellis Professor of Law, Nicholas Stephanopoulos, as the 2025 Constitution Day speaker. He will present “Aligning Constitutional Law” on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. in the James Albert Classroom (213) in Cartwright Hall with in-person or livestream options. This event is free and open to the public. Register here. Stephanopoulos is a nationally recognized expert in election law, constitutional law, and democratic theory. His scholarship has appeared in leading law reviews and major media outlets. He has been involved in several litigation efforts as well, including...
Drake University Launches $6 Million Campaign to Celebrate 100 Years of Drake Stadium
Prairie Meadows commits $600,000 leadership gift as the Blue Oval prepares for its next century of excellence As it celebrates its 100th anniversary, Drake University proudly announces the launch of the Drake Stadium Centennial Campaign—a $6 million fundraising initiative to preserve the legacy and ensure the future of one of America’s most iconic athletic venues. The campaign has received a significant boost through a $600,000 leadership gift from Prairie Meadows, a longtime supporter of Drake Athletics and the Greater Des Moines community. Opened in 1925, Drake Stadium is a landmark facility for track and field and a vital hub for...
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
SJMC Monday Memo – Aug. 25, 2025
Drake students, publications named Pinnacle finalists Congrats to Drake Mag, the TD, and Periphery for all being named Pinnacle Finalists, as well as congrats to all the individual finalists for the year. Winners will be announced at the CMA conference in October. Pinnacle Finalists: Big-Name Journalists Coming to IEC Conference at Drake The IEC Annual Conference is bringing nationally recognized journalists to Drake on Sept. 16. Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, will share insights from her acclaimed work. Mariah Blake, whose New York Times investigation into PFAs (“forever chemicals”) just expanded...
Law School News
U.S. Circuit Court Judge Holly Thomas to Speak at Drake Law School
Drake University Law School will host the Honorable Holly Thomas, U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, for a special fireside chat on September 8. The event is free and open to the public. Judge Thomas brings a breadth of substantive experience to the bench, with a distinguished career that has focused on some of the nation’s most important constitutional rights and legal protections. Her work has advanced issues including the right to vote, the right to marry, equal employment, housing and educational opportunities, protections for pregnant people, and advocacy on behalf of service members. The...